37,427 entries from 97 countries across 17 awards categories is applause for the 61st Cannes Lions. If you read down to the bottom, you’ll see the categories that are surging and the three (one a surprise) that are in ill health.

Bono, activist and lead singer of U2, is to win the inaugural Cannes LionHeart Award at the largest Cannes Lions in its history.

Bono’s LionHeart is for his work in pioneering (RED), a creative fusion of branding, activism and philanthropy that has generated more than US$250 million for the fight against AIDS in Africa.

The Cannes LionHeart recognises the person or organisation that, through innovative use of commercial brand power, has made a significant and positive difference to people or the planet.

Bono co-founded (RED) with Bobby Shriver in 2006 to engage businesses and consumers to raise money and awareness in the fight against AIDS. 50% of the profits from (RED) branded goods and services go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. So far that 50% equals more than US$250 that has heloed more than 40 million people with prevention, treatment, counselling, HIV testing and care services.

If you’re going to Cannes, you can attend A Conversation with Bono and Jonathan Ive [Apple Inc’s senior vice president of Design] on the success of (RED), its unique collaboration with its global partners and the record-breaking (RED) Design Auction that earned US$44 million for the Global Fund on World AIDS Day last year.

If you’re going to Cannes because, “It’s Cannes!”, here are some numbers to tell your accountant while he is processing your ‘essential’ per diems:

Cannes has a record number of entries this year:

Branded Content & Entertainment 1,178 (up 22%)

Creative Effectiveness 80, Cyber 3,660 (up 39%), Design 2,624 (up 11%) & Direct 2,676

Film 2,838 (down 9%), Film Craft 2,073, Innovation 206 & Media 3,127

Mobile 1,187 (up 12%), Outdoor 5,660, PR 1,850 (up 43%) & Press 5,007 (down 12%)

Product Design 194, Promo & Activation 3,241 (up 9%), Radio 1,448 (down 7%) and Titanium & Integrated Lions 378.

The top ten entrant countries are:

USA 6,213, Brazil 3,321, United Kingdom 2,757, Germany 2,376 & France 1,838

Australia 1,543, Japan 1,146, Canada 995, India 976 and China 952.

The work will be judged by 17 international juries made up of 327 top tier judges from 44 countries.

“Overall entries are up close to 5% on last year, and we’re delighted with the response to the inaugural Product Design Lions category as we bring into the Cannes Lions mix a whole new sector,” observed Philip Thomas, chief executive officer of Lions Festivals.